2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

Jaguar makes its super coupe available as a super convertible, albeit in very small quantities.

With its 550-hp supercharged V-8, snarling exhaust note, and no-ordinary-housecat body mods, the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S coupe is a serious performance machine. But for every coupe fan, there is another person—often the coupe fan’s spouse—that would prefer a droptop. Allow us to present the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S convertible.

While Jaguar waited until a week before the L.A. auto show to acknowledge the XKR-S convertible’s existence, this is a car we all saw coming—literally, thanks to spy photos of the superfast ragtop we published back in June. Equally unsurprising is the suite of performance enhancements that turn the XKR convertible into an XKR-S, since most of them are found on the XKR-S coupe.

The Least Beautiful Jaguar in Years

Like the XKR-S coupe, there is nothing subtle about the XKR-S convertible’s aesthetics, although there’s not much beauty in them either, especially without the coupe’s flowing roofline. The elegant face of the standard XK becomes purposeful and aero-optimized, with slits and holes all over the hood; a low, carbon-fiber chin spoiler; and large gashes on each side of the fascia designed to control airflow around the vehicle sides. Rocker-panel extensions and lightweight, 20-inch wheels beef up the XKR-S’s profile, while the rear end gets a stand-up rear spoiler with a carbon-fiber inlay and a bumper contoured with a de rigueur diffuser. Four fat exhaust tips handle the engine’s exhalations. Jaguar claims that the alterations reduce overall lift by 26 percent, which a driver is certain to appreciate when traveling anywhere near the XKR-S’s 186-mph top speed.

The XKR-S convertible also rides 0.4 inch lower, and chassis revisions include a new steering knuckle that increases camber stiffness by 23 percent. Spring rates front and rear have been increased by 28 percent, and the programming for the electronic active dampers is unique to this car. Finally, the brakes are upsized to 15 inches up front and 14 at the back.

Jaguar’s Quickest Convertible Ever

The XKR-S convertible’s most noteworthy feature is its supercharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V-8 churning out 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, up 40 ponies and 41 lb-ft of torque from the already prodigious XKR. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered (as with all XKs), and an electronically controlled rear differential is also part of the package. As with the other XK droptops, the motorized top mechanisms and added structure should push this car’s weight up to the tune of about 100 pounds. Nonetheless, Jaguar claims the XKR-S convertible can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with 100 mph arriving in just 8.7 (Jag estimates the same numbers for the coupe). We may be able to knock a few tenths from those estimates, though, since we piloted an XKR coupe to 60 mph in four seconds flat.

That said, we don’t think too many XKR-S convertible drivers will be splitting such hairs, especially with the engine’s glorious exhaust note direct-dialing their ears with the top down. Both XKR-S models feature unique “carbon-leather” performance seats with 16-way adjustability, integrated headrests, cutouts for racing harnesses, and increased side bolstering. Dark-finished aluminum trim is standard, while piano black is optional.

The 2012 XKR-S convertible is not only Jaguar’s quickest convertible ever, but with a price of $138,850, it’s also the most expensive. But just 25 of them will be sent to the U.S. next year, likely ensuring a high collector value. (Incidentally, the 2012 XKR-S coupe is sold out). Will it drive with the same spectacular acuity as the coupe? We intend to find out very soon.